Michael McCarron levels brutal accusation at Josh Manson after controversial play

Things boiled over early in Game 4 on Monday night between the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild after a controversial sequence involving Josh Manson left players furious and officials scrambling for a review.

Manson, who returned to the Avs’ lineup after missing the first three games of the series with injury, absorbed a huge hit from Michael McCarron during the opening period. As both players went crashing to the ice, Manson appeared to drive the butt-end of his stick toward McCarron’s ear while tangled up on the play.

Initially, no penalty was called. But officials Trevor Hanson and Jean Hebert later gathered and decided to assess a major penalty for review.

After video review, the NHL ruled that Manson attempted to butt-end McCarron but did not successfully connect. Under NHL Rule 58.5, an attempted butt-end results in a double minor, while a successful butt-end would carry a five-minute major and game misconduct.

The call immediately changed the momentum of the game.

Minnesota capitalized on the extended power play when Danila Yurov scored to give the Wild a 1-0 lead heading into intermission.

McCarron was still visibly upset after the period and didn’t hold back when speaking with ESPN.

“I mean, you played against Josh. He’s a dirty player. He’s always been,” McCarron said. “I’m happy he’s still in the game.”

With tensions already running high in the series, the controversial sequence only added more fuel to what is quickly becoming a nasty playoff battle.